C&C 37/40 XL Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

C&C Yachts built the 37/40 in Canada as a semi-custom boat using an aircraft-grade balsa core, Kevlar, a fiberglass fabric, and vinylester resin anchor. The deck and hulls followed the builder’s balsa-cored practice, and the keel is lead, with a heavy fin providing abundant ballast to keep the boat upright in a turbulent sea. The fin keel is accompanied by a spade-type rudder, and the reverse transom gives the boat its racy appearance while incorporating a walk-through in some models. C&C installed matting under deck hardware mountings to withstand compression loading, and the deck itself is clean and smartly designed to shed water. The XL, produced from 1989 to 1994, was built using the racing version’s lighter hull and deck plan and came in 40% lighter than the Plus series.

Rig and Handling

The 37/40 was designed for offshore cruising and has been rated sound enough for bluewater sailing anchor. The XL’s speed was boosted by adopting the R’s deep keel and taller mast with triple spreaders, and the R boats carry a deep-draft fin keel slightly over eight feet. Owners have reported the 37/40 can handle heavy weather, and the boat tends to be appreciated for how it handles across a wide range of sea conditions. The traveler and winches are typically located where the helmsman can control them, though the mainsheet and traveler position varies by model. A bridgedeck adds safety by keeping water out of the cabin, at the cost of some leg room.

Accommodations

The three models diverge sharply below. The Plus version has a full cruising interior with an aft cockpit and a two-stateroom layout, a gorgeous saloon with exotic teak and mahogany, comfortable seating, and a well-appointed galley with a three-burner stove and freezer. The R model is sleeker with a Spartan interior, tall mast, big wheel, aluminum toerail, and reverse transom, deliberately shedding furniture and appliances to reduce weight. The XL blends the cruising interior with a lighter hull, taller mast, and deeper keel than the R. Across the Plus and XL, the galley features dual-molded sinks, cupboard storage, icebox, freezer, and a three-burner propane stove; both staterooms hold queen-size berths, and the nav station aft to port is roomy enough for electronics and a chart. The general layout includes an L-shaped galley, separate shower stall, private V-berth stateroom with starboard vanity and port hanging locker, and an 86-gallon freshwater capacity split among three tanks with a 44-gallon wastewater tank.

Known Issues

Some owners consider the cockpit too small — six crew would be a squeeze, though the cozy cockpit snuggly seats that many. Deck crews sometimes complain the aluminum toerail creates discomfort despite its usefulness, and some critics contend those toerails are more apt to leak than a traditional rail. Though C&C put matting under deck hardware, some owners say the backing plates were skimpy or never installed, and a few have removed and rebedded hardware where leaking and possible balsa-core delamination was suspected.

Refits and Ownership

Auxiliary power typically came from a Universal model 35 diesel, with later buyers offered a 29-horsepower Yanmar 3YM30AE; the sound-proofed engine compartment is accessible via side panels and the hinged companionway door. Original electronics — chartplotter, depth gauge, autopilot, wind instruments — are likely due for replacement after three decades, and a 39-foot C&C sits on the threshold of being a big boat, making refits more expensive. The bulk of C&C owners take pride in upkeep, so finding these boats in good condition is common.

The Verdict

The C&C 37/40 endures as a thoughtfully engineered racer-cruiser with a semi-custom pedigree and a clear family resemblance to Ball’s earlier 37. The XL in particular answers the call for a light, fast cruiser without the Plus’s weight, and the build quality has held up against cheaper production rivals. The cockpit and toerail ergonomics are real compromises, and the backing-plate ambiguity warrants a careful survey.

Pros